LMachion Integration 1 Taylor Kelly Moreau FYE: Integration 1 15 October 2021 Everything is How It is Meant to Be Root Belief #1: I believe that great things come out of challenges. I believe that great things come out of challenges. As we discussed in Week 6 from the “Where I’m From” poems (“Where I’m From”-- Week 6 Moreau FYE), the experiences we have had and where we are from make us who we are. I would not be the person I am today had I not faced some of the challenges that I have faced. To be completely honest, these are miniscule challenges to those faced by others. However, I have learned some of the best skills from pulling myself together and getting the job done. For example, when I took AP US History, I had a substitute teacher who had no previous teaching experience for most of the year because the original teacher had health issues. No one in the class felt prepared, so over spring break I studied for hours each day to memorize a year’s worth of material. This method worked, and I received the score I wanted on the exam. I do not talk about this experience often, but I think back to it when I feel like school is too hard or I do not feel like studying. This experience showed me that even though the learning situation was challenging, I can persevere, and, in the end, I have greater confidence in my abilities and know that I can do something well if I put my mind to it, which has been extremely helpful going through the rest of high school and starting college. However, this belief has also been challenged as I have started college. I have a truly great group of friends at home, and the colleges they attend are about an hour away from their homes, which seems very nearby considering my ten-hour road trip. At times I have wished I went to school closer to home, but then I remind myself that in these next four years, I will meet so many great people and have exciting experiences. In week 5, we read about Fr. Sorin’s journey to found Notre Dame. Fr. Sorin writes, “I cannot but admire the sentiments with which it pleased God to animate our little band, who had more than one hundred miles to travel through the snow,” (“Letter to Blessed Basil Moreau” by Fr. Sorin-- Week 5 Moreau FYE). Although my challenges are very small, especially compared to those of Fr. Sorin, I relate to him in that his challenges led to great things. I know that I must be pushed from my comfort zone to achieve my potential. Root Belief #2: I believe that faith is a lifelong journey. I believe that faith is a life-long journey. I am a very curious person, as proven by the Character Strengths Quiz, as it was my number one result (Character Strengths Quiz- Week 2 Moreau FYE). I want to know when everything will happen, how everything will work out, and reassurance that everything will be okay. In his article, David Fagerburg writes, “Faith is a transformed mind, a mind being filled with the light of God. God discloses himself, faith responds, and then we can see with new eyes.” (“Faith Brings to Light a Dark World” by Professor David Fagerburg-- Week 3 Moreau FYE). This belief has originated from me being restless when constantly juggling my curiosity and questions instead of finding peace in God. This belief is challenged when I lose sight of my mission, and get bogged down by meaningless tasks. As I grow as a college student taking the Moreau course, I am reminded in my belief that faith is something to be developed over life. Root Belief #3: I believe that everyone deserves to be listened to. I believe that everyone deserves to be listened to. After completing the activity of sharing our Where I’m From poems in class (“Where I’m From”- Week 6 Moreau FYE), I saw more clearly that everyone has a web of connections and a unique pasts that everyone was brings to the University of Notre Dame community, and, more specifically, our Moreau FYE class. I have developed this belief after witnessing too many times when other people’s thoughts aren’t being considered because they are not popular. When I happen to be in one of these situations, I try to give my full attention to whomever is talking. At the same time, this belief has been challenged when I am in a rush to get somewhere and someone is trying to tell me their opinion. In that situation I need to remind myself to have patience. Also, listening to everyone who wants to speak is the best way to remedy implicit biases. In her TED Talk, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie says (referring to her American college roommate), “Her default position towards me, as and African, was a kind of patronizing, well-meaning pity,” (“The Danger of a Single Story” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie-- Week 7 Moreau FYE). Not only is it impolite to not allow everyone to be heard, it is dangerous for our own personal development. Root Belief #4: Throughout my life, true friendship is of utmost importance. I believe that, throughout my life, true friendship is of utmost importance. True friendship also unlocks the barrier of vulnerability between two or more friends. Dr. Brene Brown speaks of this when she says, “Vulnerability is not weakness. And that myth is profoundly dangerous… Vulnerability is the birthplace of connection and the path to the feeling of worthiness. If it doesn’t feel vulnerable, the sharing is probably not constructive.” (“The Power of Vulnerability” by Dr. Brene Brown- Moreau FYE Week 1). This belief comes from the fact that I am a very social person, and I feel most like myself when I am around other people who support me. I feel most like myself when I can be vulnerable around my true friends, and that is what true friendship is all about. Similarly, true friendship is not transactional. In the “I Love You, Double Whiskey” Video, the actors and actresses portray situations in which love is both transactional and abusive. “Because I love you, we can hang out with your friends tonight,” (“I Love You, Double Whiskey-- Week 4 Moreau FYE) is not a statement of true love and friendship. I know this belief of mine has been challenged when I struggle to find ways to show my friends that I appreciate them. One of my friends from home will occasionally help me prepare for a math test. I often feel the need to find an opportunity to express my gratitude by picking up Starbucks for her or something similar, but I need to remind myself that true friendship is not transactional and it is okay to rely on my friends as long as I am there for them to rely on me.